A 19th-century French impressionist Edgar Degas once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Indeed, with their intricate work, artists often send a message which can evoke all sorts of emotions, be it astonishment, joy, anger, or others. And as the quote suggests, it makes us notice things we haven’t yet; or, in some cases, aren’t willing to.
Some uncomfortable truths are depicted in the illustrations of the Austrian cartoonist and caricaturist Gerhard Haderer. His satirical depictions of current-day society are brutally honest yet often accurate. We have gathered some of them into this list, so you can see what he was trying to make others see with his artwork. Scroll down to find the thought-provoking images below. (H/T)
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Born in Leonding, Austria, Gerhard Haderer is considered by some to be the best cartoonist and caricaturist in the German-speaking world. Over the years, he has worked as a graphic artist, draughtsman, and illustrator for advertising companies, as well as a freelance cartoonist and satire illustrator.
During his multifaceted career, the artist has covered numerous topics, from politics to religion and veganism, and appeared in many publications. He has also released books, one of which, titled ‘Das Leben des Jesus (or ‘The Life of Jesus’), created quite a commotion among some people, leading up to Haderer even facing court in Greece.
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‘The Life of Jesus’ is a cartoon book of religious satire, depicting the life of Christ in a way that some Greeks didn’t find appropriate. At the beginning of 2005, a court in Athens charged the artist with blasphemy and banned the book. The restriction on the book was reportedly the first ban of its kind in Greece in more than 20 years.
Gerhard Haderer was given a six-month suspended sentence in absentia. However, according to Refworld, in March of the same year, the court acquitted him of all charges. The decision was based because the book’s humorous qualities precluded it from being maliciously blasphemous.
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In addition to religion, Haderer’s works often touch upon other sensitive topics as well, such as politics, for instance. As seen in the examples on this list, he also depicts relevant societal problems, from consumerism to the negative ways technology affects our everyday lives.
The artist’s brutally honest depictions of our society are not entirely baseless. For example, a person taking a selfie in the jaws of danger shows the extent to which some people are willing to go for a picture. Unfortunately, it can lead to tragedy at times. Newsroom revealed that between 2008 and 2021, as many as 379 people were killed due to selfies.
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A few of Gerhard Haderer’s illustrations cover technology’s negative influence on people. They often portray the younger generation as more prone to being glued to their phones, which is sadly quite representative of reality nowadays.
Research reveals that even though the usage depends heavily on the technology domain, young adults typically use it more than those older than them. According to Pew Research Center’s 2019 survey, 93% of millennials owned smartphones, compared to 90% of Gen X representatives and 68% of baby boomers.
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Facing unfortunate facts can be a pill that’s hard to swallow. That’s why some artwork is often deemed controversial or even offensive by some people. However, controversial art can positively affect society, as it typically evokes meaningful discussions and can lead to positive change.
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Artabys emphasized that controversial art typically brings light to political and social issues, sparking public conversation about them. It becomes a method of expressing different points of view that encourages others to get acquainted with them. Whether it’s related to politics, technology, or other topics, controversial art also drives the development of artistic expression itself.
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An article in Artland Magazine discussed some examples of controversial art presented over the last decades. For instance, Marcel Duchamp’s ‘Fountain’—a urinal introduced as art back in 1917 raised many questions about the definition of art itself. Or ‘Guernica’ by Pablo Picasso—an anti-war statement condemning the bombing of the town of Guernica in 1937.
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When it comes to paintings and similar forms of expression, graffiti is often considered a controversial one. A 2014 survey revealed that as much as 51% of people in the US didn’t consider graffiti to be art. ‘People are typically split into two camps about it, and the one that does not favor it is usually bigger. What some people find to be beautiful pieces showcasing someone’s creativity, others deem vandalism.
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It’s not only paintings that can be controversial, though. Music can also raise many eyebrows, and American composer John Cage proved that to be true. His piece titled ‘4’33’ (or ‘four minutes, thirty-three seconds’), first performed in 1952, is a three-movement piece of… silence.
The composer was inspired by Robert Rauschenberg’s ‘White Painting,’ seemingly just plain white canvases. Similarly, Cage’s composition consisted of nothing more than silence. Three parts of it; 30 seconds for the first one, two minutes, 23 seconds for the second, and one minute, 40 seconds for the third.
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In an episode of the ‘Speaking of Psychology’ podcast, professor emerita of psychology at Boston College, Ellen Winner, Ph.D., pointed out that artists continuously push the boundaries by creating something people wouldn’t have considered art before. That’s why it’s so difficult to determine what art is, which might make specific works seem controversial.
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If you’d like to delve deeper into the art world, browse some of the most well-recognized paintings previously shared by A&D or look at these fantastic examples of street art. There’s also a list dedicated entirely to Transforming Boring Citywalls for those interested in somewhat less conventional mediums.
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